1967 Shelby GT-350 'Eleanor-ish'

[70 Sting]

Just completed and photographed this kit from AMT. I realize the Eleanor car from the movie is the GT-500, however I was more enamoured with the paint and wheel combination and the GT-350 is similar enough for my liking. I did not add the side exhausts (because I have no idea how to do it). I stuck with the kit engine and just added a little wiring. The wheels are from Steve Zimmerman, the dashboard gauges are from BestModelCarParts and the paint is Pepper Grey and Gloss from Zero Paints. I used a set of side mirrors from a '70 Cuda which sit a little close to the windows as a tradeoff for fitting flush along the top of the door panels.

What I learned from this build:

1. The exhaust had multiple twists and bends which I was able to straighten (as best I could) with a heat gun set to 260F. A little riskier than hot water but much quicker.

2. The front and rear fascia didn't fit well and required some clamping and sanding. The rear trunk (mostly the sides) didn't sit flush against the body and required some sanding.

3. First time painting a full car body with Zero Paints. The Pepper Grey comes in a small, plastic bottle and I was a little concerned that it wouldn't cover the entire body, however, being a metallic (I guess) it went on very well with plenty left over. The gloss comes in a larger glass bottle and covers well too. Both dry very fast.

4. This was my first time painting stripes. I painted the entire body Tamiya LP-5 Semi Gloss Black, then applied 2 strips of 10mm tape followed by the Pepper Grey. I probably have the stripes a little too far apart and perhaps not quite parallel in a couple places, however I'm happy enough with the results.

5. CA glue debonder will ruin clear parts. I noticed a couple little drops of CA glue on the windshield - thought I was being smart by applying some debonder to loosen it up - nope, it ate into the glass ?. 

6. First time I've ever been able to salvage glass parts (see #5). The key this time was to start with the finest grit sandpaper I could get away with and sand the poop out of it, followed by multiple applications of the Tamiya Polishing Compounds. It's not perfect, but the best I've done to date.

That's it for now. Thanks for looking.

 

 

 

[SpikeSchumacher]

Harry, that is extremely well done! I have had the same unfortunate experience with CA/de-bonder/clear parts...?

[Joe Nunes]

This is very,very, nice!  Well done. ??  I like the color on this Mustang much better than the green livery on Eleanor. Super nice...and did I mention that I like it?  ?

Joe

[Joe Nunes]

Deleted 

Edited November 28, 2022 by Joe Nunes
Needed it

[TransAmMike]

Wow Harry, this is one super impressive build.  Beautiful Mustang??

[cobraman]

Wow !  That is one fantastic looking Mustang.

[Keef]

WOW! …. just…. WOW! Is all I can say. It’s absolutely beautiful!

[Dragonhawk1066]

Very nicely done!

[AMT68]

Paint and trim look fabulous. The wheel details are extremely impressive. 

[vamach1]

Agree with everyone.  A very impressive clean build with the movie car wheels and paint scheme.  Also you are now safe from referring to the movie Eleanor without being sued by anyone.  ?

Edited December 17, 2022 by vamach1

[Kah puts]

Well this blew me away, bravo. 

[Slotto]

Beautiful build Harry

[Street Rod]

Excellent build! The pictures look like a real car!

[afx]

Nice work.

[radiohd10]

very well done - never would have known you had issues with the kit.  great job!

[Hi-Po]

Beautifully done and nicely detailed.  I really like the color combo.

[happy grumpy]

Absolutely awesome. It certainly is convincing. Great photography and use of light.

[70 Sting]

On 11/27/2022 at 3:35 PM, SpikeSchumacher said:

Harry, that is extremely well done! I have had the same unfortunate experience with CA/de-bonder/clear parts...?

Why didn't you tell me that before?! ?

[70 Sting]

On 11/27/2022 at 4:43 PM, Joe Nunes said:

This is very,very, nice!  Well done. ??  I like the color on this Mustang much better than the green livery on Eleanor. Super nice...and did I mention that I like it?  ?

Joe

Lol, you may have mentioned it Joe. ?

[Modelbuilder Mark]

Great looking model, and very nice photography of same. 

 

[70 Sting]

On 11/27/2022 at 4:55 PM, TransAmMike said:

Wow Harry, this is one super impressive build.  Beautiful Mustang??

23 hours ago, cobraman said:

Wow !  That is one fantastic looking Mustang.

23 hours ago, Keef said:

WOW! …. just…. WOW! Is all I can say. It’s absolutely beautiful!

Thanks fellas, much appreciated. ? I must say, this style of lighting/photography is very flattering to model cars.

[70 Sting]

21 hours ago, AMT68 said:

Paint and trim look fabulous. The wheel details are extremely impressive. 

Thanks Tom. I used to be terrified of masking and painting. A helpful tip I picked up was to spray a little clear along the masking tape edges before applying the colour coats. This way any tiny gaps will be filled with clear before the colour can sneak under. The wheels came pre-painted from Zimmerman. ?

20 hours ago, vamach1 said:

Agree with everyone.  A very impressive clean build.

Thanks Rex. As I mentioned above, this stye of ligfting/photography is very flattering.

20 hours ago, Kah puts said:

Well this blew me away, bravo. 

You made my day Glen.  :^)

[Rich Chernosky]

Harry,,,this one really caught my eye.  The color, the wheels everything about this just says Mustang.  Always like your posts because you explain a lot.  Even your mistakes and we all make em.  Good job. 

[KWT]

Very nicely done

[Gustavo Reis]

Nice model.